OTHERS CLEAN, WE RESTORE!

See, Hear &   Feel the Difference 

OTHERS CLEAN, WE RESTORE!

See, Hear &   Feel the Difference 

Commonly Asked Questions

"I have to declare that the KARC-1 is the best record cleaner on the market. Bar none.​"​

HiFi World Magazine (January 2019)

"The Kirmuss KA-RC-1 is the best commercial ultrasonic cleaner currently available on the market."

The Audioman

(on-line review January 2019)

Charles Kirmuss demonstrating how to use the KA-RC1 with an introduction by Mr. Michael Fremer ​from Analog Planet

Charles Kirmuss demonstrating the proper maintenance steps for the KA-RC1 after use

Showing off the system attributes of the KA-RC1 ​

The following is our Q&A Section answering many questions that we have received over time. If you have any additional questions, please send them to: ckirmuss@frontier.net

What are the differences between your Ultrasonic system and others?

We have spent 7 plus years in researching all past and current processes and methods to clean records. In fact, we found that most if not all processes only focus on cleaning the record’s surface. SOME 40 AND 120 KHZ MACHINES ADVERTISED AS ULTRASONICS AFTER TESTING WITH ALUMINUM FOIL DO NOT USE ULTRASONIC CLEANING ACTION BY WAY OF CAVITATION. Using the universally recognized aluminum foil test on these machines made in Germany and in the Baltic States and Hong Kong ARE SONIC BUBBLERS. FURTHER VERIFIED BY A CAVITATION TESTER. These are Surface Cleaners at best. As such: Many processes have been designed without understanding how records are made, their composition, and how various cleaners or processes may affect the records themselves. No one uses microscopic analysis or signal analyzers to evaluate their process. First: NO ONE SEEMS TO USE THE ALUMINIMUM FOIL TEST OR TEST EQUIPMENT EXPECTED TO BE USED BY A PROFESSIONAL SONIC MANUFACTURERS TO CHECK TRANSDUCER OPERATION. Second: Seems where no one understands that PVC repels water, so with or without the presence of cavitation, one needs to change the charge of the record as we do over several cycles as to remove first films left by other cleaning processes either air dried or vacuum dried, then the release agent from the time of pressing. >>>AS TO RESULTS: Exclusively no one speaks about “db signal gain” after a cleaning. This is as most processes just surface cleans at best. We restore the grooves! Below is an image of fungus on a record’s surface and groove left over after cleaning by an advertised 40 KHz ultrasonic at 4 times the price of the KA-RC-1. Fungus removed but not the dust held in the groove by the record's release agent. In fact, this 40 KHz sonic is actually a sonic bubbler, and does not use cavitation. It just agitates the soap used in the water basin.

We designed our process to first clean the surface of the record, then the grooves, RESTORING the record, including the removal of the release agent residue. It is here where the nasty pops and clicks reside: micro-welded dust in the release agent of a new or vintage record. Removed, the needle no longer hits these contaminants and finally makes proper contact with groove details. Further, our patented process assures the records are suspended at the proper height irrespective of the record size without damaging the label.


The above image shows the same grooves BEFORE and AFTER the Kirmuss Restoration Process. Contaminants and residues from prior cleanings are removed first, then the release agent that has captured dirt, dust, etc. causing those unwanted pops and clicks.

We use safe a 35 KHz ultrasonic frequency and to avoid standing waves that reduce efficiency, we add a 70 KHz passive resonance. We make changes as to the resonant frequency so we are not just a 35 KHz look alike. This evens out cavitation. In fact, using the aluminum foil test, and with a Cavin cavitation meter, where we produce 810 Cavins of sonic energy, our 4 records spaced properly with the resonance added evenly distributes the cavitation from bottom to top of the tank and where we do not create high energy impacts onto the record. This Patents Pending change as well as where records now float and are not skewered also see record labels now kept dry and are not damaged. The entire record is restored up to the needle removal  point of the record. (dead wax area). No heaters are used and where we monitor water temperature. Studies of what custodians have been using as a drying method sees no air or vacuum drying needed as a RESTORED RECORD comes out virtually dry. With any few water droplets left: the proven over time mechanical drying and groove polishing method with the supplied optician's cloth is used. No films are therefore left.

Additionally Ultrasonic technology while interesting needs to see records properly spaced in a bath if one it to take advantage of what an ultrasonic has to offer: cavitation.

In ANY ULTRASONIC cleaning process, an ionizing  surfactant needs to be applied with a brush that is sized to fit into the grooves to wet the records and take advantage of the cavitating bubbles creating the “plasma wave that brushes in the surfactant”. This reduces surface tension of the vinyl. REMEMBER VINYL REPELS WATER and has the same charge as water with or without a detergent added.  Without changing the charge of the record prior to inserting the record into the machine  as stated in our patent of the record relative to water (with or without a detergent  present),  there is no “restoration” or even proper cleaning possible. No attraction of the cavitation process "in the groove".  Multiple cycles are required as the ionizing agent washes off over time.

Our Process sees multiple 2 or 5 minute cycles of  the ionizing surfactant applied with the record return to the washer. This is not a soap or detergent.  Typically 3 or 4 five minute cycles even for a new record are required, this to see the resulting plasma wave of the cavitation process be attracted to the record and thus make surface contact  deep down into the grooves and remove past contaminants including record release agents, left over cleaning agents, as well as fungus and dirt.

We also allow one to know when the restoration process is over, (something that no other manufacturer or process allows you to see!) and as in our case, is when a record is in fact “restored”. RECORD DRY, DEMIISHMENT OR REDUCTION OF WHITISH MATERIALS BETWEEN CYCLES AS THE RECORD IS IONIZED... Timers are just that, no analysis is done, and as where records are not the all the same and neither do we know their provenance and how they were handled over decades.... therefore, In our process during the repeated cycles and application of ionizing surfactant brushed into the grooves we monitor the appearance first and disappearance or rapid evaporation of what appears to be a whitish - toothpaste like material that comes out of the grooves on the 2nd and subsequent applications of surfactant by brush. A increase first, then a decrease or rapid evaporation of this material confirms the last 5 minute cycle before drying and polishing. Properly restored records come out virtually dry. No sheets of water.

What's in the "Surfactant" and Why do You Need It? HOW MANY 5 MINUTE CYCLES? SWITCHING TO 2 MINUTE CYCLES IF RECORDS "SHEET WATER" OR COME OUT OF THE FIRST CYCLE USING OUR SURFACTANT WITH "HUNDREDS OF SMALL WATER DROPLETS ON THE RECORD'S SURFACE.

PVC Friendly, water soluble, 98- 99% Distilled Water and 1% - 2% Diol2 Propandiol 178, a type of propanol.

Our mix is both anti-static and anti-fungal. It is PVC friendly and water soluble. This is also needed to be sprayed onto the record as PVC in records rejects and repels water by its nature; the surfactant acts as a “wetting agent”, reducing surface tension and thus helps attract, for lack of a better term, the resulting 500 MPH plasma wave that results from the cavitating and exploding micro-bubbles in the tank. It "changes the respective charge of the record with the water in the tank". 

With the supplied surfactant brushed into the record’s grooves, this therefore assists in the cleaning action in the grooves.

A bath with distilled water alone or with a cleaning agent in an ultrasonic’ s tank added will not do anything to clean the grooves, it just lightly cleans or wets the surface.

Keep in mind that WE RESTORE GROOVES and not just clean the record's surface..

AS TO 5 MINUTE CYCLES OR 2 MINUTE CYCLES..  USE 5 MINUTE CYCLES PER THE MANUAL...

BUT: If the record sees after the first application of surfactant and taking the record out of the machine and after a tap to remove water and when placed horizontally on the work area the appearance of thousands of little beads of water, or where there is a sheeting of water at the bottom of the record this indicates where a coating was applied to the record. This impedes the action of our ionizing surfactant agent to attract the plasma wave into the record’s grooves, so one would then have to switch to 2 minute cycles, most likely 6 cyles, to restore the record. If you apply the surfactant spray to this, (with water on the record), it is not doing much as it is being diluted with the water.

The record should come out of the machine with little water if there is no coating or film on the record.  ...With a coating present  as represented by sheets of water, or many micro bubbles on the record, this sees the surfactant washed off within a minute and defeats the purpose of ionizing the records, causes the extended wash times.

So revert to 2 minute cycles. If you see this the sheeting of water or these water droplets,  before applying the surfactant spray, use the rabbit cloth to wipe off the water on the record before  the application of the ionizing surfactant.

Follow the  usual instructions: you will see eventually after the 3rd  or 4th  two minute cycle now the whitish materials appear, then as we process the record, disappear or evaporate quickly.

As to times: New records (no sheeting or hundreds of little water droplets or bubbles appear on the surface): 3 five minute cycles for a German pressing; 3-5 for US  or other international pressings.

Records of unknown provenance: 3-5, five minute cycles.

With the sheeting of water and droplets, approx. 6 or 7 two minute cycles.

>>>We have found Mofi and Acoustic Sounds records (new ones) as also having a severe coating on them, as well as records that were coated with LAST protectant as well as cleaned with L’Art du Son and VPI’s cleaner. USE 2 minute cycles as determined by the  presence of water sheeting.

Also per the manual: Pad dry or lightly mist the goat hair brush and pad dry with the rabbit cloth the goat hair brush between applications of surfactant spray; this removes picked up residues from prior applications that may have been accumulated by the brush. This after every application.

Can I add Photoflow on the basin/tank?

The short answer as to vinyl records is NO.
Photoflow which is used in the development of print film and paper repels water which is exactly the opposite of what we are trying to accomplish. Per KODAK: “decreases water-surface tension and minimizes water marks and streaks on film to promote faster and more uniform drying.” In a photographic washing process you want to see water run off the paper or film when it is drying to avoid water spots. Photoflow is added to the water in the wash cycle. Sonic cleaning systems need to see anything making contact with the record to attract the plasma wave to aid in the cleaning process. Adding Photoflow decreases the effectiveness of any surfactant applied on a record’s surface.

I see many blogs recommending adding isopropyl alcohol, 99%, in a 3:1 mix. Why do you not recommend more than 1.4 ounces of only 70% IPA to nearly 2 gallons of distilled water?

Studies have shown where high amounts of alcohol affect the plasticizer of the record, damaging the record over time. There are many published lists of how various agents affect or do not affect PVC.

  1. Shellacked records cannot tolerate alcohol unless it is found in the ratio of our system. (For these records we brush in surfactant and only see one 2 minute cycle used).

2. The distilled water with the 1.4 ounces of 70% isopropyl alcohol as we recommend does not aid in the deep cleaning and restoration of record grooves. 70% or less is soluble in water, (90% is not = danger!).. We use in the first 2 or 5  minute cycle  the bath with no ionizing surfactant brushed into the the record's grooves just to first wet the record and remove any fingerprints and dust, dirt, that may be on the record’s surface. The 1.4 ounces of 70% IPA is primarily used to kill fungus that is alive or dormant that falls to the bottom of the basin. 

NEVER USE 70% RUBBING ALCOHOL: It has additives for skin care and is not to be used.

How many records can I clean with one "bath"?

You can clean AND RESTORE  two 33 1/3, one 45, and one 78 at the same time. The spacing between the records is crucial to the process, any larger number of record within the same space reduces the advantage of the ultrasonic that works the surfactant into the record grooves.

One 2 minute cycle to surface clean. Multiple 2 or 5 minute cycles with the ionizing surfactant to RESTORE.

To the bath: We suggest you change out the distilled water with the 1.4 ounces of 70% IPA in the tank after restoring between 15 to 20 records or when the water becomes murky. Severely contaminated records will show up with murky water in the tub. Do not let the water stand in the restoration system overnight. It will grow fungus once the alcohol has evaporated.

Please discard.

How long will that Surfactant bottle last before I need to replenish it?

You should be able to clean between 40 and 150 records before requiring a new spray bottle. (60 mL). The number of applications depends on the number of 5 minute cycles that you require to restore the record. Eight applications would see less records restored, around 30.

Also available: a 300 mL refill bottle. This is approximately 40% lower in cost.

Why doesn't your machine have a drying mechanism? A vacuum?

In our studies of record washing programs and methods it has been very evident in our research where many sonic systems that air dry the record by way of a fan after being processed ultrasonically sees this air drying process dry onto the record whatever contaminants were left in the ultrasonic bath. Noted and tested where filters supplied by some manufacturers in fact do not filter out dirt, dust and fungus, these are between 3 and 5 microns in size. These reside in the water that one is air drying onto the record. This defeats the purpose of cleaning a record, one would think. Added, the fan itself blows dust onto the record and moving air also adds a static charge to the record. These both cancel out entire effort to clean the record!

As to vacuum drying: Vacuum drying brings through the Venturi Effect surrounding dust back onto the record. While the vacuum sucks off water from the enzyme cleaner (many of which are not PVC friendly) this process does not go into the grooves and does not remove all of the residues left of the cleaning agent and process. Moving air also charges the record, creating an issue of static.

OUR RECORDS AFTER PROPER PROCESSING COME OUT VIRTUALLY DRY.. This as per the Tribelectric table of charges, water and PVC have the same charge and they repel each other. Thus to remove the remaining water droplets on the record, we use the tried and true mechanical  method..  using a lint free optician’s cloth as well as the use of a parastatic felt brush by mechanical means to further polish the grooves. A little elbow grease goes a long way!  Other systems and cleaning methods  see pools of water remain on the surface of the record as they have not been properly cleaned. That is why they use blowers and vacuums, but the latter defeats the purpose of cleaning a record and leaving a film on the record by so doing.

I'm interesting in purchasing the KA-RC1 record cleaner, but I have one concern with the system. There is no filtration system for the holding tank and isn't it concerning with chemicals/dirty residue from dirty records after each cleaning?

Firstly, anyone that advertises that they have an effective filter to clean water in a sonic bath or tank as in other laboratory grade equipment is fooling the buyer.

Below is a picture of a filter used in a $5,000 ultrasonic record washer. Measurement taken by our 2D/3D microscope.

Fungal spores found on records are 1- 3 microns (µm) in size. Depending on the spore. They end up in the reservoir of the ultrasonic system. After analysis, the filter in this very expensive machine cannot filter out anything less than 143-160 microns (µm). To note where sand ( particle size > 63 µm ), silt (particle size > 2 µm), dust (particle size 0.5 to 100 µm, all pass through the supplied filter of this very expensive machine and return to the water in the tank. They are using a $2.00 foam filter. This manufacturer also asks one to keep the water in the tank and replace it every 100 records. Fungus grows in stagnant waster! That is why we sometimes need to process a record for 6 or 7 five minute cycles as we have to strip out these remnants of prior cleaning processes that rely on air drying that are “baked” onto the record.

To your question: we therefore ask you change the water out every 15 or so records.

After the last 5 minute cycle in your machine, what do you then do?

Records by their nature repel water so when we do the final 5 minute cycle with the sonic and surfactant, we then remove the record and then with the record mounted at our work station horizontally, mist very lightly the record with distilled water at 12, 4 and 8 o’clock positions. We then rely on our mechanical process of using an optician’s cloth to dry the surface and then use the parasitic felt brush to polish the grooves.

In our process we therefore provide 1.5 to 5 dB gain to your phono stage.

Are all ultrasonic machines safe for records?

Frequency is key, we use 35KHz.

The Higher the frequency, the higher the speed of the resulting plasma wave from the cavitating microbubble. On the opposite end, 25 KHz is too low a frequency to provide any effective cleaning of a record’s groove, plasma wave is too slow. 125, 190 KHz, not to be used!

To note where there are other elements to consider when selecting an ultrasonic based system:

Temperature is critical: Ultrasonic bubbles create heat when they cavitate (burst), thus water in the tub of any sonic used should not exceed 95 deg F. Our system allows you to see the progression of this heat generated by the cavitation process. We signal a visual alarm.

What is in the tank is also critical: in our process we use no enzymes, no non PVC safe materials, only water soluble surfactants. Many systems use high concentrations of alcohol which damages the plasticizer of the record. Others see the creation of more fungus with enzyme based agents.

Systems with tanks that keep water for more than a day should be avoided, as fungal spores are omnipresent, causing health risks.

We recommend where the water in our tank is not kept for more than one day.

Are all machines on the market compliant with electrical safety regulations?

Every manufacturer should have available a certificate in their name from a qualified testing laboratory that meets with local electrical and safety requirements. You should see a UL or CSA or local electrical authorities testing label on the product, for your safety against shock and fire, as well as an FCC Part B Compliance statement.

DIY systems see contraptions that hold the records which can be dangerous if they fall into the water with a potential for electrocution.

Our system is ETL Tested against UL, CSA, PSC, and CE with FCC certification.

What do I look for when cleaning records that tells me when I am on my last 5 minute cycle with the surfactant applied?

With any system and in stating that a record is clean in 5 minutes or 10 minutes is not accurate. In fact it is arbitrary. Is it Clean? Some ultrasonic systems need severely contaminated records to be washed repeatedly for 60-90 minutes and still not having the expected results commensurate to the time spent. In our process we allow one to see first hand when the record has been restored.

After every 5 minute cycle using our surfactant applied to the surface of the record, we keep applying this to the record by way of brush and between applications until there is a noticeable decrease in the presence of a white paste-like substance while the brush is used. Or rapid evaporating of this materials. This is validation of our restoration action stripping out fungus and contaminants not removed by other systems or processes.

How many times do I need to repeat the cleaning 5 minute cycle using the surfactant before I can no longer see "soapy/pate like residue appear”?

Very hard to give you an exact number as one does not now the provenance of the record and how it was maintained. In general, we see new records have severe coatings on them: we now recommend for any new record pressing to  modify the baseline instructions: Use a 5 minute cyle without surfactant applied, then 3 more cycles, each time pad drying the goat hair brush, then a  final 5 minute cycle with surfactant  applied.   a 2 minute cycle with surfactant applied.

With other records following the manual and technical supplements, ,  we on average see 4 or 5, five minute cycles with corresponding application of surfactant needed.

Users that have cleaned their records in a prior ultrasonic cleaning system using a fan to air dry and where the water has not been changed for months, or for a tank that managed 100 records, sees us repeat our cycle 6 or 7 times.

With records cleaned prior with vacuum systems, 4 to 5 five minute cycles are common.

The abive is not the fault of our process, it is a result of the record being improperly cleaned using another process. Generally 4 to 5 five minute cleaning cycles suffice.

Note where other ultrasonic processes and even ours where one  tries to keep records  spinning in distilled water with or without a soap added to the water for hours, this cannot clean a record properly. An ionizing agent must be applied to the record over several cycles to see the charge of the record change to the charge of the distilled water. Multiple cycles as we describe  are needed as  the charge of the record returns to that of the water, nullifying therefore the advantages of the ultrasonic.

After watching ALL your YouTube videos (many two or three times over), I am totally convinced I went with the right machine for the job. As to the final treatment before placing the record away in the record sleeve understood where a single shot of mist of the surfactant is applied at arm’s length to a cleaned and dry goat hair brush which when the brush is applied over a spinning record polishing it and this then evaporates, when I pull that same record out of it's sleeve to play it at a future date, will I have to go through the entire cleaning process again? After playing it, should I use the "surfactant" again before placing the record back into it's sleeve?

NO: If you play the record often, once every two years apply surfactant at 12, 4 and 8 o’clock positions on the record and then insert the record back into the machine for one 5 minute cycle. Then dry and polish as usual. This as you have handled the record and where fingerprint oils have been applied to the record's edges due to normal record handling. Then do use the goat hair brush with a mist of surfactant applied to a spinning record on a turntable to polish.

TO PLAY: Take the record out of its non PVC, HDPE, non paper sleeve, place on the turntable mat, then use both the felt then the carbon fiber brush to remove dust, then static, then play. (We supply PVC free, anti-static, anti-fungal record sleeves.)

When playing a restored record: what should I do?

When playing any record, restored or not: Take the record out of the sleeve, set the record on the turntable mat, spin the record. Using our combination carbon fiber and parastatic felt brush, use the felt brush to first remove dust from the record’s surface, then use the carbon fiber side to remove finer dust in the grooves as well as to remove static before playing the record. Play the record. Then return the record to its sleeve. If your turntable is equipped with a cover, close the cover. This reduces dust from being attracted to the record as it spins and landing on the grooves. Also reduces static “charging” of the record. The cover also reduces the cartridge from picking up reflections of sound from the speaker depending on where the turntable is located.

I have another ultrasound machine, but would like to try the rest of your system. Mine is a type DYI built in China, 200 W with 40khz freq, and with the water warming to 120 deg.. The records are skewered 8 records spaced by ½”. Haven't been impressed by the job it has done yet. Can I use your fluids?

Many points: 1) Using distilled water I am assuming in a tank alone will not see ANY ultrasonic do much as vinyl PVC repels water. 2) When the sonic microbubbles collapse, the resulting wave created by cavitation will not do much to clean the grooves. This as where records that are spaced at ½” or less than 1.78" apart sees the microbubbles implode before rising, due to the creation of standing waves, thus the system does not see the ultrasonic cavitation access all the grooves up to the dead wax area. As proof where only 4 records may be processed in a 6 liter tank; USE THE ALUMINUM FOIL TEST that we have shown in the Audiophile Society of NJ Zoom presentation that you may access on our first page. 3) With records now spaced apart at as distance unknown as we do not know the configuration of the sonic transducers, brushing in our surfactant in the grooves will assist in cleaning your grooves, BUT IN FACT at the same time will accelerate the damage, as now the 40 KHz in the areas of the wave hitting the record via cavitation will now see the 40 KHz wave of the machine you bought from China “sandblast” the grooves. This as aided by our surfactant as a wetting agent that was brushed in the grooves as we have changed the charge of the record to be the opposite of the medium in the tank. 40 KHz or higher on the record. Review our web site for details as how we use a 2D/3D Microscope to study effect and cause. 4) Our system uses safe 35 KHz and where we have designed a system that spaces records correctly which also does not have a heater which will heat water in excess of 105 deg F. . It seems your system has a heater. We strongly dissuade you from using 40KHz with our surfactant applied. I am very sensitive to this. Respectfully stated: Many people read blogs and are not experts.

I used your system and ran my record through a total 2 five minute cycles: one with no surfactant applied, then one with your surfactant brushed in. I then dried the record , then played it on my turntable. I noticed a white fluff appear on my stylus. What is this?

In our videos and documentation we ask that you look at the rise and then fall of the “whitish like materials” that comes out of the grooves when we brush our surfactant into the grooves in subsequent 5 minute cycles. This after the second 5 minute cycle using surfactant. We recommend for new records one uses 3 or 4 five minute cycles on the record. In your situation the white “fluff” or residue that appears on your needle is the softened contaminants that the process has started to loosen from the grooves. Now dislodged by the needle. Try another 3 five minute cycles. Watch for the rise and fall of the whitish materials that the goat hair brush picks up when new surfactant is applied and is brushed in. The reduction or quick evaporation indicates to you the last 5 minute cycle before drying

If I run the machine for 15 minutes, will this clean the grooves better than in repeated 5 minute cycles?

PVC (vinyl) repels water.

When we apply a surfactant onto the record as well as into the grooves of the record by way of our goat hair brush and  then subject the record to a  2 or 5 minute cycle, as we approach the 5 minute point, all of the surfactant has already been removed by the ultrasonic cavitation process.

Keeping the record in the machine for another 10 minutes will not see any significant improvement as where there is no longer any surfactant in the record’s grooves.

The purpose of this ionizing agent we supply is to change the relative charge of the record with respect  to the distilled water in the tank. We need to attract the plasma wave to brush against the surfactant and get into the groove. 

Repeated cycles are therefore needed as discussed earlier.

Using our surfactant with sonics that are 40 KHz and higher will see records damaged due to this ionizing effect and the excessive speed of the plasma wave their systems generate.

At our 35KHz, we create a safe wave for both vinyl as well as shellacked/lacquered records.

 

I have been told by many audiophiles where I should use De-Ionized water or Aquafina Drinking Water and not distilled water. You recommend distilled water. Please explain.

The oldest method for production of pure water is the thermal method or distillation. Distilled water is water that has been purged of impurities by evaporating it through boiling and then letting it re-condense elsewhere. This is the most natural form. When water evaporates, all the non-volatiles dissolved in the water are left behind, though some volatiles will evaporate with the water, such as nearly all minerals, many chemicals, and most bacteria. When the water re-condenses in a different container, the water will be closer to pure H2O. This works not only for minerals but also for neutrally charged organic material, bacteria, and viruses in most cases. Distilled water is not recommended to be used for drinking as it lacks the minerals which can also provide health benefits.

Using electrolysis and or osmosis added as a process, Deionized water is water where the dissolved ions have been removed leaving mostly pure water and is created by mixing the water with an electrically charged resin containing cations, anions, or both. Although this process removes dissolved minerals from the water, it is not effective in removing bacteria, viruses, or non-charged organic molecules.
Since both treatment methods produce high purity water, choosing between deionized water vs. distilled water often depends on how you're using it. Distilled water is often more pure, especially if it's been filtered first, and it should not contain any bacteria or other pathogens which could, in theory, be left in DI water. Distilled water, especially if it's been double or triple distilled, can be used for nearly all laboratory applications, including those in which DI water might not be pure enough. As we are dealing with fungus, and its removal from records, we do not want to use deionized water in any form in our sonic bath/tank.

What about alcohol and records?

FYI: There are 2 types of alcohol: 91-99% IPA  and 70% IPA. We use the latter diluted to  kill fungus in the basin. We do not use it to clean the record as basically vinyl will repel water.  We mix 1.4 ounces of this in our system’s tank. Our mix is PVC safe.  UNLIKE OTHER SYSTEMS, THIS LOW CONCENTRATION THAT IS PERFECTLY SAFE FOR THE RECORD IS NOT USED FOR CLEANING.IT IS USED TO KILL DORMANT AND LIVE FUNGUS FOUND ON THE RECORD. 

While not tied to this, the first cycle performed with our machine does remove light surface grease and fingerprint oils and wet the record. It does not clean the grooves. The brushed in IONIZING surfactant with the ultrasonic does this.

INDEED: Never use a cleaner with alcohol, or a cleaner that does not have an MDS Safety Sheet or clear indication of what is in the cleaner itself as an ingredient(s).

Per the PVC Chemical Compatability Chart: Alcohol will damage some plastics, but not all. Many blogs are not clear as to this. See below… Our chemist confirms by the resin code, or "recycling symbol", found on most plastic items:
Poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET or PETE - PET is not very soluble in ethanol or isopropanol, but prolonged exposure may cause crazing or stiffening due to the dissolution of plasticizers.
High-Density polyethylene, HDPE - HDPE is resistant to most things.
Poly(vinyl chloride), PVC - PVC is not very soluble in ethanol or isopropanol, but prolonged exposure may cause crazing or stiffening.
Low-Density polyethylene, LDPE - LDPE is resistant to most things.
Polypropylene, PP - PP is resistant to most things.
Polystyrene PS - PS is not very soluble in ethanol or isopropanol, but prolonged exposure may cause crazing or stiffening.

Please note where plasticizers come into play. Plasticizers or dispersants are additives used in the base PVC materials of the record that increase the plasticity or fluidity of a material. Plasticizers are added to help maintain flexibility in a plastic. Various phthalates are commonly used for this purpose. Since they are small molecules they may extract or leach out of the plastic causing a loss of flexibility with time. Just as deliberately added small molecules may leach out, small molecules from the environment may be absorbed by the plastic and act like a plasticizer. Compatibility in the Hansen system increases when values of all three forces of solvent closely match the values of solute. Benzyl butyl phthalate has the best match of parameters with PVC and it is known to be the most aggressive plasticizer of PVC. In the case of phthalates, which are used in the manufacture of vinyl records, we see where the longer the hydrocarbon chain of alcohol involved in plasticizer, the worse the match of its parameters and the worse a solvating power of plasticizer. Diisononyl phthalate is close in solvating power to di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate which is considered as a secondary plasticizer. The length of hydrocarbon chain in alcohol influences critical solvation temperature. In practical terms, less volatile, higher molecular weight plasticizers require increased processing temperature.

All said and told: 91-99% IPA while not  detrimental to casual contact with a vinyl record. Only if there is constant prolonged long term contact in also large concentrations is there an issue over extended time. More on this later.

While Alcohol in its unconcentrated  form is a good degreaser,  we recommend only 1.4 US oz of 70% IPA to 228 US ounces of distilled water. Very diluted. We have taken much time study to determine what is minimally needed. Our purpose is to kill fungus, either live or dormant that will end up in the sonic's basin.

As to fungus and where 70% made outside of a dilution:

https://labproinc.com/blog/chemicals-and-solvents-9/post/the-difference-between-isopropyl-alcohol-ipa-99-and-70-25

QUOTE:  70% Isopropyl Alcohol: Between the concentrations of 60% and 90%, Isopropyl alcohol is a very effective agent against microbial bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Higher concentrations don’t generate a much more desirable effectiveness against bacteria, fungi and viruses. This is because, there has to be a significant enough presence of water with the Isopropyl alcohol in order to be effective. And this percentage of water needs to be at least more than 10% within the solution. And the mixture of 30% water with 70% Isopropyl alcohol works best. The reason water is so important is because it acts as a catalyst and has a major role in denaturing the proteins of cell membranes of vegetative cells. 70% IPA solutions are very effective in breaching the cell wall fully. Also, the presence of water slows down evaporation and increases the surface contact time with the membrane. With 91% IPA, the evaporation is instant and protein coagulates, rendering the effect of the IPA greatly reduced.

This means that 91% IPA takes a greater time to act and doesn’t kill as much bacteria as 70% IPA. The latter is also cheaper.

Also all alcohols evaporate, 4 hrs. average for 70%. Much faster for others of higher concentrations (99%)..

The issue is the plasticizer and where we are compatible as a water soluble alcohol.

Before using any cleaning agent or chemical on a record's surface, consult the PVC CHEMICAL COMPATABILITY CHART. An example:  http://www.ipexna.com/media/1588/pvc-chemical-resistance-guide.pdf

I recently saw a post from a Spin-Clean owner displaying that he is now an owner of a Kirmuss-Audio KA-RC-1 Ultimate Ultrasonic Record Restoration System. Being an owner and a first hand believer, I reached out to him to inquire with him how does he like it. Here's his reply: "I've only done a couple of albums so far but I'm genuinely impressed with the job that it does. Note that instead of the 70% alcohol, I'm using 3 drops of Tergikleen.” Others use Tergitol mixed with water. Is this safe?

TO SAFE CLEANING: Many end users do not check the compatibility of the products they are using with their records. Records are made with PVC and have added to the mix liquefiers, plasticizers, stabilizers and the like.  With this in mind, first and foremost, many available  cleaning  products for vinyl records  do not list their ingredients to aid first responders in a medical emergency when product ingestion is involved.  Secondly: Never use a product on your precious records if you do not know the compatibility of the cleaner with PVC, this  as we have discovered where many ingredients affect PVC negatively.  Third:  Never make your own mix without referring to a PVC  CHEMICAL RESISTANCE GUIDE.  (one suggested link:  http://www.ipexna.com/media/1588/pvc-chemical-resistance-guide.pdf ).

To respond to many using chemicals such as Tergitol(R) recommended by many  in making their own mix, as described by the manufacturer,  (Dow Chemical), it is described as a Secondary Alcohol Ethoxylate Surfactant and while it is considered as an excellent emulsifier & detergent by the manufacturer in the wetting of surfaces that are essential for many surfactant applications, the  manufacturer remarks where it can also be used as a paint thickener and aids in rinse-ability of solvent-based systems. This product as suggested by the manufacturer is to be used as a solvent  and to use in cleaners, prewash spotters and paints & coatings. As classified by California Proposition 65 per the manufacturer's MDS, it is listed as Ethylene Oxide by Law.

(Proposition 65, officially known as the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 protects the state's drinking water sources from being contaminated with chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and requires businesses to inform Californians about exposures to such chemicals and requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.)

Per the State: Tergitol (R) is   made of of Ethylene Oxide and alcohols forming a Polyethylene Glycol Trimethylnonyl Etheand and Polyethylene Glycol Dinonylphenyl Polyoxyethylene and as such it raises health concerns. Stated by the Manufacturer:  May cause eye irritation; May be harmful if inhaled;  Causes respiratory tract irritation and may be harmful if absorbed through skin and causes skin irritation. May be harmful if swallowed. (This from the Dow Chemical MDS Sheet.)  Referring to the PVC Compatibility chart, Ethylene Oxide is not favorable to PVC.  So one needs to consider how any chemical or product used in cleaning or processing PVC records is selected for PVC compatibility and health reasons. Advice: never make your own solution, always ask for the composition of the cleaner that you are buying. Check the Chart!

What do the colored lights below the Countdown timer indicate?

As the ultrasonic sees the micro-bubbles cavitate and implode creating a 900 KPH (500 MPH) wave that hits the record and washes the grooves with the surfactant/wetting agent brushed into the grooves of the record, this ultrasonic action generates kinetic energy and creates heat. As you restore more records and run the machine, over time, the distilled water in the bath heats up. The colored bar underneath the timer shows one the progression of the heating of the water by this released energy. The bar moves left to right. When the machine starts with room temperature and temperate water, the green or green and orange lights are lit. As the system is used, temperature increases, and when it reaches approximately 90 def F (32 deg C), the long red bar lights up. This is normal. No issues for using the system to restore your records. When the water reaches approx. 94 deg F (34 deg C), the small red light to the right of the long red bar lights up. This indicates to your where you have two, three or four 5 minute cleaning cycles left. This before the same small red light to the right of the long red bar lights up and flashes. This indicates to you where you now have reached 105 deg F. (40 deg C.) At this point you need to take any records out of the machine and turn the machine power off, remove the record cover assembly , and let the water in the tank stand and to cool down. We do not want you to clean records at this temperature. Removing the cover speeds up the cooling process. In about 10 minutes of rest and you may start once more. Replace the cover, turn on the main power. To note: At 110-115 deg F, (43 - 45 deg C), this will affect your records. The small red flashing light indicates 104 deg F (40 deg C.) and where we provide you with a margin of safety. Once repowered: It is OK to restart and restore records once more with the long red bar lit. It is safe. Also if you are running the machine non-stop and continuously, turn the machine off every 35 minutes and remove the cover, this to cool down the ultrasonic transducers.

I have a record that I coated with a protective coating. I hear the difference where the record is not as “bright”, less timber than the same record that has not been coated. Will your process remove the coating?

Yes. When you apply our surfactant on the coated record you will in fact see hundred or thousands of small waster droplets appear on the record’s surface. This confirms where a coating has been applied as the coating repels water. This coating makes it more difficult for our process to actually clean the grooves as we have to first remove this coating that is hindering our process. We suggest where you change the method used: brush in the surfactant and just a 2 minute cycle instead of a 5 minute cycle. Keep the record in the machine for only 2 minutes. This as the coating will see the surfactant removed very quickly. Repeat the 2 minute process until you then see the rise and fall of the white paste appearing or its quick evaporation. It usually this takes 9 two minute cycles to restore a coated record.

I HAVE A 120 KHZ SYSTEM THAT I JUST BOUGHT. FROM THE EU, IT REPLACED A 40KHZ SYSTEM I HAD FOR YEARS. THE PUMP DIED 4 TIMES OVER 3 YEARS. IN A NUTSHELL, DO REVIEW YOUR PROCESS VERSUS OTHER SYSTEMS AS MY REPLACEMENT SYSTEM DOES NOT REMOVE THE POPS IN NEW RECORDS. I HAVE TRIED YOURS AT A STORE AND BEFORE BUYING ANOTHER REPLACEMENT SYSTEM AS I SAW THAT YOURS DOES REMOVE THEM. SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Thank you for your question. Noted where one 120 KHz system is not even an ultrasonic, rather an ultrasonic bubbler as the machine tested fails the aluminum foil test and cavitation is not measured by a cavitation meter. To your note: The KirmussAudio Model KA-RC-1 revolutionizes the way we take care of records. Need to provide you with some more details ahead of my answer. So: WE ARE NOT A RECORD SURFACE CLEANER, BUT A TRUE ULTRASONIC TECHNOLOGY RECORD GROOVE RESTORATION SYSTEM that over multiple 2 or 5 minutes cycles processes 4 records at a time, first removing films from past cleaning methods, whether manual, vacuum or ultrasonic, and then removes the release agent from the pressing plant that holds the dust particles that are micro welded into the grooves that cause those unexpected and unwanted pops heard when playing a new record. TO OUR DIFFERENCE: Water and Plastic repel each other, they have the same charge, so unless one changes the charge of the record as we do, our system also would not be effective either. Therefore the application of the ionizing spray over several cycles as the charge dissipates as the record spins. With the release agent no removed, one will no longer further micro weld dust that is around one’s turntable creating more pops as the release agent which gets heated by the dyne of the needle onto the record is no longer present to be heard. Also where the needle now makes contact with the details of the stamper. SO YOU EXPERIENCED THIS IN TESTING OUR SYSTEM.

So:

To design and our difference, we need to understand the material we are trying to clean (restore). A soft, vinyl or shellacked record. Not going into all the science, we have a groove width from 6 to 48 microns, going from bottom of the groove to the top. We have dust particles, dirst etc that are 3 to 5 microns in size. 35 KHz is known to be the best frequency to select. Dust, durst, surface fungus, paper fibers are 3 to 5 microns in size... THEY ARE NOT SUB MICROSCOPIC (below 0.1 microns), not touched or heard by the needle/pre-amp, so 120 KHz does little. Thus: The KA-RC-1 is a 35 KHz ultrasonic using a 70KHz resonance to even out the distribution of the benefits of cavitation evenly throughout the water medium in the tank so as not to mark the record with unevenly distributed high energy waves in concentrated areas.

To handle multiple sized records safely, a Patented and Patents Pending record suspension system assures where records of any speed and size see their grooves contacted completely up to the dead wax area with the distilled water in the basin. Added where damage to the record and label by mechanical intrusion of skewers and spacers and the like are thus avoided. To processing more than one record: In the Kirmuss design it was noted where the spacing between records is critical and therefore can only process 4 records at a time in a 6 liter tank. (If an additional slot was introduced to accommodate a 5th record, this would cancel the effect of cavitation as proven by the aluminum foil test. (see the Zoom of the Audiophile Society of NJ on our main page showing the results of the foil test on other machines as to record spacing and effects of cavitation.))

To understand what a commercial ultrasonic should do in processing a record: The Kirmuss process does not use a cleaning agent or solution in the basin, as both the record and distilled water in the basin with or without the use of a solvent sees the same electrical charge. As we all know from elementary school science, like charges repel, and that is why all ultrasonics may not remove the release agent or clean adequately records. The Kirmuss process uses an ionizing agent that is applied to the record before insertion into the machine that changes the charge of the record to be opposite to that of the water that is in the stainless steel basin of the machine. (water with or without the addition of a solvent or cleaning solution have the same change as the record). As the induced charge applied to the record now opposite to that of water wears off after 3 or 4 minutes as the record spins, that is why one needs to re-apply the ionizing agent to the record over several cycles. Charging the record once more. The change of charge and potential difference attracts the 35 KHz wave created by cavitation. Thus: the first cycle in the machine removes films from prior cleanings and fungus as well as the majority of fingerprint oils. Then subsequent cycles removes the release agent and micro welded dust from the grooves.

SO: If someone wishes to surface clean the record quickly, and not restore it and removing the release agent from the time of pressing, then only one 5 minute cycle with the ionizing agent applied is required.

To protect the user of the system , we add to the distilled water a maximum of 40 mL ( 1.4 oz) of 70% IPA which while it may assist in degreasing the record from fingerprint oils in the first cycle, the addition of this low concentration of alcohol deemed safe for records is designed to kill live or dormant fungus that comes off of the record while being processed.

As to 120 KHz and 40 KHz ultrasonics, many are NOT ULTRASONICS AND DO NOT USE CAVITATION. THAT IS WHAT YOU EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND. If you are referring to an advertised German 40KHz, Chinese made 40 KHz system, or a European made 120 KHz system: using the universal aluminum foil test, they are ultrasonic bubblers! Agitating water and soap in the basin. Limited to surface cleaning at best. (As to the aluminum foil test used by professional sonic manufacturers to ensure that the transducers used are working); For the German machine we had to remove the 4 felt scrubbers in the machine as they would have torn apart and destroyed our aluminum foil record that we made.)

As a summation: The process of applying the ionizing spray attracts the wave created by cavitation to the record, as the charge of the record is now opposite to that of water. Using the aluminum foil test proves where spacing between records is critical and as such where we are limited by way of physics where we can process only 4 records simultaneously in a 6 liter tank based system. (This is not your case as the machines you described handle only one record at a time.)

As to determining when a record is clean and restored, our process allows you to see this first hand as the ionizing surfactant agent that is applied over several cycles and as it is brushed onto the record between cycles, one may witness at first an increase and then a subsequent decrease in the appearance of a toothpaste-like substance between cycles on the record's surface, materials that are being brought up by the goat hair brush. This material brought up is what the ultrasonic softened in the previous cycle. A decrease/rapid evaporation signals that the cycle is finished. UNLIKE YOUR SYSTEMS where the instructions ask you to repeat cycles blindly if you are not satisfied: This intentional cyclic process validates the effectiveness of the system: removing fungus, contaminants, as well as agents applied in prior cleaning methods left as films on the record’s surface, and finally the release agent itself that only our system may remove.

As top why we do not use air or vacuum drying: There is no need for air or vacuum drying as restored records come out virtually dry. Any remaining water droplets are removed by the supplied optician’s cloth.

New records see gain of 1.3 dB over floor, and records of unknown provenance see a gain between 3 and 4 dB.

Hope this wordy response provides you with details as to why we differ.

As you still may have your 120 KHz machine, before returning it and buying ours, you may want to make an aluminum foil record to prove that the sonic sold you is not a sonic, rather a bubbler. That is why you heard the results of our record restoration system processing the previously cleaned record using your 120 KHz system.